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2025.08.15 column

What is the relationship between honey and sleep? It will also explain precautions when consuming honey.




It is said that honey is effective in alleviating problems such as "I can't sleep well" and "I wake up in the middle of the night." However, many people may not be aware of the specific effects of honey or the correct way to consume it.

In this article, we will explain how honey is related to sleep, along with important points to keep in mind when consuming it.

"If you are thinking, 'I want to improve the quality of my sleep and live each day energetically,' please read on until the end."



The reasons why honey is said to be helpful for improving sleep quality.


There are mainly two reasons why honey is said to be effective in improving the quality of sleep.

I will explain each item below, so please use this information when considering your purchase.



because blood sugar levels stabilize.


Honey is expected to have the effect of making you feel refreshed upon waking up the next morning, as it causes a gradual rise in blood sugar levels.

Nighttime low blood sugar is one of the factors that can disrupt sleep.

When blood sugar levels drop during sleep, a hormone called "cortisol" is secreted from the adrenal cortex to restore normal levels, but this stimulates the sympathetic nervous system, which can cause waking up.

In that regard, honey is said to be a food that does not cause rapid fluctuations in blood sugar levels.

Eating honey before bed can suppress excessive secretion of cortisol, allowing the parasympathetic nervous system to take precedence, which leads to improved sleep quality.



Because the gentle sweetness calms the heart.


Sweetness has a relaxing effect.

The gentle sweetness of honey calms the heart and supports deep, stable sleep.



What is the best timing to eat honey?


If you want to eat honey to wake up refreshed the next day, it is advisable to consume it about 1 to 2 hours before going to bed. Eating honey at this timing allows for a gradual increase in blood sugar levels during sleep.

Furthermore, let's refrain from eating honey right before going to bed.

This is because if you fall asleep before carbohydrates are converted into energy, digestion takes priority, and the effects mentioned above may be diminished.

If you eat honey at the end of the day, it is recommended to consume it no later than one hour before sleep.

Related article: What effects can be expected from consuming honey before bed?



Are there benefits other than sleep? The advantages of eating honey before bed.




In addition to its effects on sleep, honey has many delightful benefits.



Merit 1: Supports the creation of a healthy body.


Eating honey has great benefits in the pursuit of a healthy body.

"If you want to eat sweets but are concerned about your health, how about incorporating honey into your daily meals as a substitute for sugar?"



Merit 2: Aim for beauty from within.


Honey contains various nutrients, and by incorporating it into your daily diet, it supports a healthy lifestyle.

This is recommended as a dietary habit for those who want to greet the morning with a pleasant awakening and for those who wish to be aware of their inner beauty.



Merit 3: Helps improve oral environment.


One of the benefits of eating honey is that it helps improve the oral environment.

During sleep, the secretion of saliva decreases, making the mouth prone to dryness. When the mouth is dry, bacteria can easily proliferate, increasing the risk of cavities and periodontal disease.

In this regard, honey has the effect of maintaining oral health.

Eating before going to bed may reduce the risk of dry mouth.



Precautions when eating honey before bed.


Here, I will share points to consider when eating honey before bedtime.

Please check in order to maximize the effects of honey.



Note: Adhere to the intake amount.


At night, please be careful not to consume too much honey.

Honey contains a lot of sugars such as fructose and glucose.

Therefore, excessive intake may lead to weight gain and a rapid rise in blood sugar levels.

If you eat honey before bed, about 1 teaspoon, or approximately 5 grams, is to taste.

Related articles: Is it better not to eat before sleeping? Explanation of the reasons



Recommended recipes for eating honey before bed.




Finally, I would like to introduce a recipe for 'pure honey hot milk mix,' which is perfect for a peaceful moment before bedtime.



How to make hot milk with pure honey.



  1. Warm up the milk.

  2. Add pure honey and mix well to avoid clumping.

  3. Add cinnamon or nutmeg to taste.


The calcium contained in milk has a calming effect on feelings.

Additionally, by drinking something warm, your body temperature will rise moderately, allowing you to experience a relaxing effect, which will help you fall asleep comfortably.

For those who are not fond of milk, it is also recommended to replace hot milk with caffeine-free coffee or herbal tea.

Instead of Pure honey, we also recommend trying Maple & Honey from SUGI BEE GARDEN.



"Eat honey before going to bed to improve the quality of your sleep!"




This time, I explained how honey and sleep are related.

Honey contains a lot of sugars such as fructose and glucose.

If you consume these to taste before going to bed, your blood sugar levels will rise gradually during sleep, which will activate the parasympathetic nervous system and lead to comfortable sleep.

Additionally, the unique sweetness of honey itself has a relaxing effect, so why not enjoy it in your favorite recipes?



Column Supervisor

Mr. Kaname Hirayagi

Hirayanagi Hirayanagi Essential Key pointMr.

Title: Doctor of Medicine (University of Tokyo) / Master of Health Science (University of Tokyo)

Affiliation: Food Medical Research Institute, Representative and Director

Brief Biography

After completing the graduate program in Physiology at the University of Tokyo, they became a visiting researcher at the University of Parma in Italy, Harvard University, and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and then became an associate professor in Hygiene at Nihon University School of Medicine.
So far, I have served as a part-time lecturer at Nippon Sport Science University (Public Health / Occupational Health), Sano Nihon University Junior College (Public Health), and held positions as a director in the Japan Ergonomics Society, the Japan Society for Aerospace and Environmental Medicine, and the Japan Society of Clinical Hyperbaric Oxygen and Diving Medicine, as well as a councilor in the Japan Society of Hygiene and the Japan Society for Preventive Medicine Risk Management.
Currently, I am the representative and director of Food Medicine Research Institute.

Specialized field

- Special Environmental Medicine (Space Environment Physiology, Marine Environment Physiology, Occupational Health Science)
- Research on the health effects of food ingredients based on scientific evidence.

[Media appearances]

NHK 'Try It and Understand'
TBS Television 'The Doctor's The Stamp of Approval!'
TV Asahi 'Hayashi Osamu's Now is the Time! Lecture'
CBC Television "Health Capsule! Time for Vitality"
He has also appeared on many other programs, including MBS, TV Tokyo, and BS Fuji.

Supervision and Contribution Achievements

The Power of Honey (Housewives and Life Publishing Co.)
Magical Honey (Makino Publishing)
A special ginger recipe for body alignment (Natsume Publishing)
In addition, I have been featured in magazines, newspapers, and magazines about the health benefits of food.
He has contributed and supervised over 200 articles.

[Works]

The surprising effectiveness of sunbathing in cancer prevention - the astonishing power of vitamin D (Kodansha)
"Don't Get Sick! Ginger Green Tea Health Method (Published by Sanmark, Chinese version available)"
A longevity furikake created by a medical doctor (Sanmark Publishing)
Other specialized books include "Modern Life and Health" (Shinohara Publishing) and "New Edition of Hygiene Practice" (Nanzando), among others.
He has written many books on health and wellness.

[External link]

Food Medicine Research Institute Blog: http://h-and-w.jp/column/
My Best Pro Gunma Blog: https://mbp-japan.com/gunma/food-medicine/column/

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